Abstract: An article of protective equipment for protecting a body part of a user includes a lattice structure with a plurality of struts forming three dimensional volumetric structures. The lattice structure includes a plurality of internal layers, each internal layer having at least one different physical property from the other internal layers, wherein the plurality of internal layers comprises at least one internal layer having physical properties such that the at least one internal layer is capable of compressing more than at least one other internal layer in response to an impact to the article of protective equipment.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a bottom rim, a top wall comprising a raised central portion and a top rim, a side wall extending between the top and bottom rims, and a corrugation surrounding a periphery of the raised central portion that (i) connects the raised central portion to the top rim, (ii) descends to a depth below half a height of the side wall, and (iii) is separated by a distance from a surface. Impact forces imparted on the shock absorber are attenuated by a first amount in a first stage by resistive yielding of the side wall; by a second amount in a second stage by depression of the central portion and resistive yielding of the corrugation associated therewith; and by a third amount in a third stage by resistive yielding of the corrugation in response to a force applied to the top rim upon contact with the surface.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a bottom rim, a top wall comprising a raised central portion and a top rim, a side wall extending between the top and bottom rims, and a corrugation surrounding a periphery of the raised central portion that (i) connects the raised central portion to the top rim, (ii) descends to a depth below half a height of the side wall, and (iii) is separated by a distance from a surface. Impact forces imparted on the shock absorber are attenuated by a first amount in a first stage by resistive yielding of the side wall; by a second amount in a second stage by depression of the central portion and resistive yielding of the corrugation associated therewith; and by a third amount in a third stage by resistive yielding of the corrugation in response to a force applied to the top rim upon contact with the surface.

Abstract: A cover includes a receiver having a concave-shaped inner surface and a flap including a first side coupled to the receiver and a second side including a fastener. The flap may be movable relative to the receiver from an open position to a closed position. The fastener may be configured to be coupled to the receiver when the flap is in the closed position.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a bottom rim, a top wall comprising a raised central portion and a top rim, a side wall extending between the top and bottom rims, and a corrugation surrounding a periphery of the raised central portion that (i) connects the raised central portion to the top rim, (ii) descends to a depth below half a height of the side wall, and (iii) is separated by a distance from a surface. Impact forces imparted on the shock absorber are attenuated by a first amount in a first stage by resistive yielding of the side wall; by a second amount in a second stage by depression of the central portion and resistive yielding of the corrugation associated therewith; and by a third amount in a third stage by resistive yielding of the corrugation in response to a force applied to the top rim upon contact with the surface.

Abstract: Shock-absorbing helmet liners may be releasably locked to helmet shells using mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing compressible member includes a thin-walled enclosure defining an inner chamber containing a volume of fluid such as air. The enclosure includes one or more orifices which as sized and positioned to allow air to vent from the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber after the impact is released. The enclosure is formed of a blow-molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material which is economical to make and durable in use. The compressible members can be used as building blocks for impact-absorbing shell structures for a wide variety of applications such as helmets, protective pads for body parts, sports arena wall padding, vehicular bumpers, dashboards and the like. The compressible member has impact-absorbing advantages over conventional foams currently used in those applications.

Abstract: Shock absorbers for integration into protective structures generally take the form of hollow, compressible cells. The cell enclosure may be configured to provide for two or more compression stages. For example, in various embodiments, the cell enclosure includes one or more corrugations descending from the top wall, which, upon contact with the bottom wall, contribute to impact absorption.

Abstract: Shock absorbers for integration into protective structures generally take the form of hollow, fluid-filled, compressible cells. In various embodiments, the cell enclosure includes one or more orifices, or vents, through which a fluid (such as air or water) can escape from the inner chamber formed by the enclosure.

Abstract: Magnetic repulsive forces can be exploited for impact absorption in protective body gear such as, e.g., helmets.

Abstract: A hydration container includes a bottle having a selected volume and a bottle cap which includes a drinking nozzle. An indicator bearing a sequence of numbers is moveably mounted to the cap so that any one of the numbers in the sequence may be positioned opposite an index on the cap. Preferably, the numbers on the indicator are coordinated with numbers in a recommended daily fluid intake table present on the bottle. Thus when the user increments or decrements the indicator each time the bottle is refilled with fluid, the container will indicate in real time the user's approximate actual fluid consumption versus the intake goal indicated by the table.

Abstract: Headgear of the type having an outer layer and a relatively flexible inner layer includes a belt which extends around the inner layer within the outer layer, and a tensioning device which can tension the belt causing the belt to urge the inner layer inward away from the outer layer and against the helmet wearer's head. Preferably, the tensioning device includes a chinstrap assembly releasably fastened to the front of the helmet.